Cartridge-loader.



No. 772,865. PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

' E. E. BREGKENRIDGE.

CARTRIDGE LOADER.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903.

No MODEL. a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/ TNE SSE S.'

A TTOHNE YS mmma No. 772,865. PATENTED OCT..18, 1904. E. E. BREGKENRIDGE.

CARTRIDGE LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3,l 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A TTOHNE YS No. 772,865. PATBNTBD 00T. 1a, 1904.

' E. E. BREGKENRIDGB.

CARTRIDGE LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. 1903.

NO MODEL, 3 SHEETS-SHEET Wl TNE SSE S: /N VE N TOI? UNTTED STATES Patented October 18, 1904.

PATENT OEETcE.

EDWARD E. BREOKENRIDGE, OF MANNING, lIOWA, ASSIGN OR TO HIM- SELF, ISAAC J. IOWA.

NIOKUM, AND GEORGE OHDE, JR., OF MANNING,

CARTRIDGE-LOADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 772,865, dated October 18, 1904.

Application filed September 3, 1903l Serial No. 171,768. (No model.)

To all when@ it Duty concern:

Be it known that l, EDWARD E. BRnoxnN- RIDGE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Manning, in the county oi' Carroll and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Cartridge-Loader, or' which the following' is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a device for facilitating the loading of cartridges with powder' and shot.

It comprises a comparted hopper with measuring devices for withdrawing the charge of powder and shot therefrom and discharging the same into the cartridge-holder, which is sectional to engage and release the cartridge and which is so positioned that the rammer, which is located above the cartridge-holder, may be moved down into the same to ram the charge and wads in place.

This specification is an exact description of one example or' my invention, while the claims deiine the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4C is a detail perspective view oi' one of the measurers, and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

The apparatus comprises a base 10, on which is erected the stand 11, here shown in the form of a box. On the said stand 11 is a hopper 12, having two compartments therein, respectively, for the powder and shot. The bottom 11 is formed with two orifices 11F, leading from the respective hopper-compartments, and below each oriiice is a measuring device comprising a block 15, an end cap 16, and a sheet-metal strap 17, applied to one end of the block and forming in conjunction there` with a cup to contain the charg'e. This cup is open at each end, as shown in Fig. 3, and when the charge runs thereinto it is normally held by the top of the stand 11, on which the measuring devices slide. The end of the block 15 which is embraced by the metal strap 17 is concave, as shown, and said strap is formed with slots 18, on which work screws 19. these means the capacity ot' the measurer may be varied at will to regulate the charge. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the charge is free to run into the measurer, and when the measurer is drawn forward, as indicated by the broken lines in said view, the bottom becomes uncovered, and the charge may then run out, as set forth.

The end caps 16 serve to hold loosely the upper ends of arms 20, which are arranged in the hollow stand 11 and mounted to swing in suitable bearings21, located therein. Said compartments are connected with linger-keys 22, which extend through slots 23 in the front side of the stand 11 in position to be engaged by the fingers of the operator. By pressing down these keys 22 the arms 2O will be thro wn forward, bringing -with them the measurers. It will thus be seen that the operator has the measurer under entire control, and each time that a measurer is brought forward it delivers its quantum of powder or shot, as the case may be.

At the front sidel of the stand 11 a chute 24 is arranged, this chute receiving the contents of the measurer and inclining downward to the cartridge-holding device, which comprises two blocks 25 and 26, having' semicircular grooves therein arranged to match and form a cavity snugly receiving the cartridge-shell, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The section 25 is fastened to the stand 11 and the section 26 is hinged to the iirst-named section. 27 indicates a suitable catch for releasably holding the sections engaged together. 28 indicates a swinging block which enables cartridges of different lengths to be used in the machine. The rammer 29 is pivoted in an arm 30, which is forked to straddle the hopper 12 and is fulcrumed to the base thereof, and 31 indicates a spring which normally holds the arm and rammer in the position shown in Fig. 1. 32 indicates springs which are attached at one end to the stand 11 and at the other end to the keys 22.

In the operation of the device a shell is placed in the holder and the powder-key 22 ByA is first pressed to bring forward a powdermeasurcr, which discharges its contents into the shell by means of the chute 2.4. The powder wad should then be inserted and rammed home, after which the shot-key should be pressed to discharge the shot into the cartridge, and finally the shot wad should be rammed home, and the cartridge will then be complete.

It will be observed that all ofthe parts of this device are so arranged and juxtaposed that the instrument may be operated very readily and rapidly. It is also a fact that by providing a holder which snugly incloses the cartridge the charge may be rammed home with all necessary force, and yet the cartridge will be prevented from bulging or spreadingd a disadvantage which frequently occurs when loading' with the ordinary devices.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of my invention may be resorted to at will without departing' from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence I consider myself entitled to all such variations as may lie within the intent of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A cartridge-loader, comprising a base or support, a box or stand mounted thereon, a hopper mounted on the box or stand, a measuring device located above the box or stand and below the hopper, an elbow-lever fulcrumed within the box or stand and having one arm extending upward into engagement with the measuring device and the other arm projecting forward beyond the stand, for the purpose specified, a cartridge-holder, and a rammer coacting therewith.

2. A cartridge-loader, comprising a base, a stand mounted thereon, two measuring devices mounted on the stand and movable beyond the front side thereof, a compartmented hopper mounted above the measuring devices and having' its compartments respectively related to the measuring devices, a chute projecting forwardly from the stand and adapted to receive the charge from the measuring devices, a cartridge-holder located in front of the stand at the discharge end of the chute, a rammel', means for mounting and operating the same, elbow-levers mounted in the stand under the measuring devices, said levers having vertical arms respectively connected with the measuring devices, and horizontal arms projected forward beyond the stand to facilitate the operation of the measuring devices.

ln testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing' Witnesses.

EDWARD E. BRECKEN RIDGE.

Witnesses:

Gr. A. ROBER, JULiUs VVEHRMANN. 

